BENTON — A federal judge on Thursday granted a defense motion for summary judgment and threw out a case alleging sexual and disability discrimination filed against the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

According to U.S. District Judge Staci M. Yandle, the county’s stated reasons for firing Mary Jo Connaway were neither baseless nor unreasonable so the county was entitled to summary judgment on Connaway’s claim of retaliation.

Connaway filed a federal lawsuit against the sheriff’s department last year claiming she was discriminated against while employed as a Jefferson County Correctional Officer. She was fired for what the sheriff’s office said were multiple instances of not properly following policies and procedures.

Judge Yandle ruled in favor of the county Thursday and rejected Connaway’s claims.